GHB

What is GHB?

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Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and precursors (eg GBL gamma-Butyrolactone) are depressant drugs with sedative hypnotic effects, originally developed as pre-surgery anaesthetic. Depressants slow down the activity of the brain and other parts of the central nervous system.

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid

(C4H8O3)

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GHB exists in the form of a white or pale coloured powder or crystals but is often sold in a liquid form in small bottles or vials. Colorants are commonly used in production to distinguish the substance from water and other liquids. It is occasionally sold as a crystal powder. GHB may have a bitter or salty taste but when mixed in a beverage it is difficult to detect.

Physical effects can include

feel good and confident

take more risks than usual

suffer from tremors

have diarrhoea or urinary incontinence

Effects depend on...

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The effects of GHB appear to vary greatly according to the amount used. A small increase in amount can result in a dramatic increase in effect, i.e. overdose.

What GHB does to you depends on how much you take, the type of GHB you take, your height and weight, your general health, your mood, your past experience with GHB, whether you use GHB on its own or with alcohol or other depressant drugs, whether you use alone or with others, at home or at a party, etc.

Psychological effects can include

General information

The effects of GHB appear to vary greatly according to the amount used. There is a small difference in the amount used to give an effect and the amount that can cause an overdose. One of the most risky aspects in using GHB is a small increase in amount can result in a dramatic increase in effect, i.e. overdose. A further risk is that there is often no way to be sure that the drug is manufactured correctly. Improperly made GHB may result in an extremely toxic mixture of GHB and the chemical sodium hydroxide.

Immediate effects

When you have a small amount of GHB, the effects vary greatly from person to person and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. The effects become noticeable from 5 to 20 minutes after ingestion.

Physical EffectsYou may:

feel good and confident

feel excited or upset

take more risks than usual

have a heightened sense of touch

want to have sex

feel drowsy or sleepy

feel dizzy

get headaches

suffer from tremors

feel sick

have diarrhoea or urinary incontinence

find that your heart beats slower

find that your body temperature lowers

vomit

get tunnel vision

have blackouts and memory lapses

have convulsions (fits)

have a heart attack

overdose

go into a coma

impair your capacity as a parent/primary carer of children.

Psychological EffectsYou may:

suffer memory lapses

become uncoordinated (ataxia)

become disorientated

feel confused, irritated or agitated

hallucinate.

Long-term effectsSome long-term effects of GHB use are unclear. As GHB is similar to the effects of sedative drugs, it is possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on it (addicted). There is also the potential for tolerance to develop over a period of time to achieve the same (or any) effects as first experienced.

Combining GHB with other depressant drugs like prescription medications or alcohol can slow down the body’s central nervous system and be dangerous. The adverse effects of one drug may be greatly increased by the other.

It is increasingly common for GHB to be mixed with alcohol both inadvertently and by choice. Alcohol is particularly dangerous in combination with GHB as it can be difficult to control the dose. Overdose is a significant risk in such situations.

Not knowing the strength of GHB increases the risk of overdose. Overdose of GHB can happen to anyone. Even small amounts may cause overdose with some people who have an especially strong reaction to it.

When a person overdoses, they may:

Appear to be asleep but cannot be woken.

Be incoherent, sweating profusely, vomiting and have irregular or shallow breathing.

Not be able to stand and/or have involuntary muscle contractions.

An overdose of GHB can cause

faster, irregular or weak heartbeat

breathing problems

heart attack

coma

death.

If you can’t wake someone up or you are concerned that they may have sustained a head injury from a drug related fall – call an ambulance immediately – dial Triple Zero (000).

If the person has been mixing GHB with other drugs, tell the NSW Ambulance paramedic exactly what they have taken. Paramedics are there to help. Generally paramedics don’t involve the police unless there is danger to themselves or other people/children, someone dies, or a crime (such as violence or theft) has been committed.

GHB has been used in drink spiking due to its dis-inhibiting and amnesiac effects that can put a person at risk of overdose, sexual assault or theft.

If you think your drink has been spiked:

ask someone you trust to get you to a safe place

ask your doctor to test for the presence of drugs which can be identified through urine or blood tests within 24 hours.

If you feel unwell or have been sexually assaulted call an ambulance, go to the emergency department or nearest hospital

Drink spiking is serious and illegal. To prevent drink spiking, it may be best to watch your drink, avoid sharing drinks, buy/pour your own drink and don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know well or trust.

There is evidence that GHB is highly addictive. People who use GHB regularly can develop a tolerance and dependence very quickly. Tolerance means that you must take more of the drug to feel the same effects you used to have with lower amounts. Dependence on GHB can be psychological and physical or both.

Dependence on GHB means that it takes up a lot of your thoughts, emotions and activities.Dependence on GHB can lead to a variety of health, money, legal, work and relationship problems.

GHB-dependent people may find it very hard to stop using or cut down because of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from GHB may last two weeks or longer. These can include:

confusion, agitation, anxiety, panic

insomnia

shaking

muscle cramps

perspiration

hallucinations

tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)

seizures/convulsions (fits)

delusions or paranoia

psychosis

sweats

hypertension (high blood pressure)

nausea or vomiting.

Sudden withdrawal from high doses may also result in bowel and bladder incontinence and blackouts, and may require medical assistance. If you are worried about withdrawal, contact your doctor or health centre.

As is the case with many other drugs and medication, it is not recommended that people use GHB while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Many drugs can cross the mother's cord and therefore have some effects on the unborn child. In general, drug use during pregnancy can increase the incidence of babies born early resulting in low birth-weight babies. Inform antenatal staff of GHB use and attend regular antenatal checkups.

If a mother continues to use GHB while breastfeeding, it is possible that the drug will be present in her milk and may have adverse effects on the baby. Babies are particularly susceptible to overdose.

It is generally risky to take any drug while breastfeeding without medical advice.

If you possess, use, manufacture, import, sell or give GHB to someone else and get caught, you could face substantial fines and penalties including a prison sentence. There have been instances where GHB has been used in drink spiking due to its dis-inhibiting and amnesiac effects.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs including GHB. Anyone under the influence of GHB who kills or injures another person while driving can be sentenced to a term in prison. Driving under the influence of GHB is considered more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol.

na.org.au for Narcotics Anoymous Australia, a non profit fellowship or society of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean via a program of complete abstinence from all drugs.

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VISIT:​

Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) provides services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Contact them on (02) 8113 1301 or for counselling and support services for CALD communities call (02) 8706 0150.

Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service (NYDAS) works within a holistic model of care to address a range of issues for young people (12 -20 years) of age related to their alcohol and other drug use. Call (02) 4734 2129 or (02) 4734 1333.

Poisons Information Hotline is a 24/7 call centre service to NSW and after hours call centre across Australia. Call 13 11 26

www.ahmrc.org.au for Aboriginal community controlled health services across NSW. Go to Members/ Members regional map/ Member services or Member websites.

www.alcohol.gov.auprovides information about related health issues and Australian government policy.

smartrecoveryaustralia.com.auSmart Recovery is a voluntary self-help group that assists people in recovering from alcohol, drug use and other addictive behaviours.

Visitwww.tafensw.edu.au for help with education, career development or personal matters. Students can contact a local TAFE / university counsellor. Follow the links to student services, careers and counselling.

www.yourchoiceonline.com.au is an alcohol education program that aims to challenge perceptions about underage drinking and excessive consumption of alcohol and to educate young people about the health, legal and social consequences of drinking.

www.youthaction.org.au Youth Action is the peak organisation for young people in NSW. Use the search option to access a directory of NSW youth services.

youthsolutions.com.aufor services for young people 12 – 25 years of age and the community including prevention and health promotion, drug and alcohol education, community programs and referral. You can also call (02) 4628 2319. [provides services to young people in Macarthur & Wingecarribee].